Disclaimer: Pokemon and co. doesn't belong to me . . . . blah blah blah . .
.
Author's Notes: Well, what can I say? There isn't much to tell. At first I
wrote Guardian Angel as a one shot, but after a few days of thinking
about it I decided to take the next step and write this as a series.
My fic Forever is currently on hold, suggestions for that one would be
Greatly appreciated!
Enjoy!
Ketchum: The Journey Continues
The Ghost Of Lavender Tower
Chapter 20
I sat down on the couch in the Lavender Pokemon Center and idly
watched all the trainers leave their pokemon with Nurse Joy.
"I wonder who's taking out all their pokemon . . ." I wondered aloud.
"It's the Marowak in the Tower. Are you a pokemon trainer?" I turned
and saw Officer Jenny.
"Yeah, I am. What's going on?"
"Team Rocket is holding a hostage in the Tower, we've been recruiting
pokemon trainers to deal with the Marowak and the Ghosts but no one's
had any luck."
"I'd love to help you. What do you say Inferno?"
He nodded.
"Okay, we're in. Hey Musashi, Taiki, you in?"
"We're in!"
"Thank you! Let me fill you three in. The Marowak is a ghost that's
angry at the way the Cubone are treated. The man being held hostage is
Mr. Fuji of the Pokemon Lovers Organization."
"Oh wow! I've always wanted to meet Mr. Fuji!" Taiki exclaimed.
I turned to Inferno.
"Sorry buddy, but you gotta sit this one out. I'll be needing these two to
lead." I held up Marowak's and Banshee's pokeballs.
"Why was Mr. Fuji in the Tower in the first place Officer Jenny?"
Musashi asked as I recalled Inferno.
"He was trying to soothe the Marowak's Spirit so it can go to the next
world in peace. But Team Rocket ambushed him and dragged him to the
top floor. They're demanding a Charizard for his safety."
Oh no . . . they wouldn't stoop that low . . . would they?
"What are their names?"
"Kunzite and Natsume, why?"
Musashi and I groaned.
"It's my Charizard they want." I sighed.
"It is?"
"Yeah, those two idiots have been after Inferno since I first started my
journey . . . Don't worry, Musashi and I can handle them."
I grimaced when Musashi got a nasty look on her face.
"Oh Taiki . . . got a short tempered Voltorb?" She asked.
I remembered some of mom's stories. I grinned.
The next morning Musashi, Taiki, a few officers and I made our way to
the haunted Lavender Tower. I don't know about the others but my skin
was crawling. I really wanted Inferno by my side but I had left him at the
Pokemon Centre, assuring him that Banshee, Marowak and the others
would protect me. Voltorb's pokeball somehow felt heavy on my belt.
We all paused at the door, a couple of leaves fell to my feet almost in
warning. I steeled my nerves and released Banshee and Marowak.
"Okay Banshee, you're here to scare away the Ghost pokemon. Don't
hurt them, just scare them. Marowak, you go behind Banshee. When we
encounter the Marowak's ghost try to talk to her, she might listen to
you." Banshee and Marowak nodded. "Okay, let's go."
"Satoshi? You okay with this pal? It's not too late to turn back." Taiki
asked, Musashi mirrored his worried expression.
"Truth be told I'm scared. But we gotta help the Marowak's ghost and
free Mr. Fuji."
We all walked in the Tower, making sure to stay together.
"Ghaaaastlyyyyy . . ."
"Gengar gen . . ."
I gulped. Musashi grabbed my hand, she was so scared she was sweating.
"Haunter haunt . . ."
I gulped again.
"Sheeeee BANSHEEE!"
Banshee was doing his job of keeping the Ghosts away . . . no need to be
scared, right?
"GENGAR!"
We all screamed as a Gengar popped in front of us and pulled it's eyes off
with it's tongue.
"Sheeeeee Banshee ban!"
The Gengar yelped and vanished.
If mom knew what I was doing right now she'd totally freak out.
Actually I was pretty close to freaking out myself.
~~~~~~Musashi's POV~~~~~~
I was so scared.
Satoshi flashed a quick reassuring smile at me before turning his attention
to what might be ahead of us. I shivered and glanced at Taiki, he was
holding his Kadabra's pokeball in his hand. Officer Jenny didn't look
scared, neither did the other officers but they were. I could see it in their
eyes.
I didn't actually realize I was holding Satoshi's hand until I looked down.
He gave a gentle squeeze as we headed up for the second floor.
"GHAAAAAASSSSTLYYYY!" I jumped, so did Satoshi. I already
knew he was scared, but he was putting up a brave front.
"Bansheeeee!!!!"
I mentally translated that to something to the extent of 'Be gone'.
"Ummm . . . would anyone object if I . . . uh turned back?" Taiki asked.
He was more than shaking, he was trembling. Poor guy wasn't that used
to the unreal yet. After travelling with the trouble magnet that is Satoshi
he'll get used to weird stuff.
"Sure Taiki, I don't blame you. We'll meet you in the Pokemon Center,
k?"
Satoshi gave Taiki a shaky grin which was returned before he turned tail
and ran, still clutching Kadabra's pokeball.
"MAROOOOWAAAAK!!!"
I jumped at the sound, and landed on Satoshi's shoulders. The last time
I'd heard a Marowak scream like that was when we were in the forest
with the Warrior of Ground.
"Ummm . . . any time now Marowak . . ."
"WAK marowak maro maro wakmarowak marowak wak."
The ghost stopped her charge and looked at Satoshi's Marowak who was
trying to explain things and soothe her.
"Maromarowak wak marowak!"
"Wak maromaro . . ."
"The ghost Marowak demanded we leave or else. My Marowak told her
that we don't want to hurt her or her children. Ghost Marowak
demanded she prove it. My Marowak is explaining about our encounter
with the Warrior of Ground, her mother, and how we saved her from
Team Rocket. The ghost Marowak is doubtful. My Marowak is telling
her about dad . . ." I slid from his shoulders. There was silence.
"Marowak maro maro." I saw Satoshi pale and sit on his knees. What
was he doing?! The Marowak walked up to him and removed his hat.
She locked her eyes with his. His Marowak and I began to shift
nervously, I played with Ivysaur's pokeball.
Neither blinked for a few minutes before the ghost stepped back and
broke their eye contact.
"Marowak wak marowak." Then the Marowak crossed over to the other
side.
"Uhhh . . . that was . . . interesting . . ." Satoshi murmured.
"Is it gone?" I asked shakily.
"Yeah . . . she's gone. Let's go." He began to make his way to the last
level, we weren't bothered by anymore ghosts.
"It's about time you brats got here!" Natsume sneered.
"Yeah, the boss isn't happy about that Spa Scam your Charmeleon ruined
girl!"
I glanced at Satoshi, he shrugged.
"You know what we want brat! Give us your Charizard and we'll let the
old man here go!"
"You'll never get Inferno!" He shouted.
"Okay, then you get to meet a few of our new pokemon. Straight from
the boss himself!" A nasty grin formed on Kunzite's face as he tossed
two pokeballs out, so did Natsume.
Three Haunters and a Gengar. I reached for my pokeballs but Satoshi
stopped me and held up one of his pokeballs. Banshee's. I grinned.
"You think your new Ghosts are so hot huh? Let me get you acquainted
with MY Ghost pokemon. I choose you, Banshee!"
"What's a Banshee?" I heard Natsume mutter. They didn't know? They
were about to get the surprise of their lives. I passed earplugs to Satoshi
and the officers.
"Banshee . . ." He grinned when they started to cower at the sight of
Banshee. "Shriek."
The four Ghosts had already been shaking with fear when Banshee
emerged from his pokeball, but when Satoshi ordered a Shriek they had
vanished through the ceiling. I had already tossed Mr. Fuji earplugs and
he managed to put them in just in time.
Officer Jenny and her troops rushed them and slapped the handcuffs on
them while they were distracted.
"Thanks Banshee, return."
"You are under arrest! You have the right to remain silent! Anything
you say can and will be used against you in a court of law . . ."
~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~
I paced the Pokemon Centre worriedly. Taiki had just come in and
admitted with a sheepish smile that he had chickened out.
That's when I heard it, Banshee's Shriek attack. The windows of the
Pokemon Centre rattled but they didn't shatter. The Tower was a fair
distance away.
A police truck rolled by with an escort. Through the windows I saw
Natume and Kunzite. One of the police cars stopped.
"Thanks for the ride Officer Jenny!"
Satoshi!
I barrelled out the door and swept Satoshi up in a hug.
"Inferno! Air! Please!" He gasped. I put him down.
*I take it Kunzite and Natsume won't be bothering us for a while.*
"You bet!"
I followed him and Musashi into the Pokemon Centre. That's when I saw
it. They were holding hands!
No way! Ivysaur was right after all . . .
Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll only be a temporary thing . . . I paused, the
Warrior of Ground had suggested the same thing . . .
Arg, this was way too complicated for me to handle right now. In
comparison reading would be easy!
Actually I did just that, I picked up my book and began to work on the
words.
~~~~~~Satoshi's POV~~~~~~
I saw Inferno pick up his book and sulk over something. What was with
him? I shrugged as I took my rejuvenated pokemon from Nurse Joy.
Tomorrow we would head toward Saffron for a Marsh Badge.
Banshee would be a good bet for starters . . . then Butterfree . . . then
Inferno? No, Inferno wouldn't stand a chance against an Alakazam.
Banshee and Butterfree would have to do it themselves. I'll brief them in
the Saffron Pokemon Centre . . .
"You going to sleep anytime soon Inferno?"
(I'll turn in later. I got things to think about.) He rumbled with his nose
in the book. I smiled and shook my head.
(Good night Satoshi.)
"Night Inferno, night Taiki, night Clefairy, night Meowth, see ya in the
morning Musashi."
They all gave an absentminded 'good night' before turning back to what
they were doing.
I fell asleep.
Inferno grunted as I tickled his chin. He was being unusually difficult this
morning.
"If you don't wake up now Inferno, I'll have to give you a curfew."
If this didn't wake him up nothing would.
Inferno jumped awake.
(Would you have really given me a curfew?)
"Yup, you're getting lazier in the mornings. And that means you're going
to sleep far too late."
He grumbled all through breakfast and on our way out of Lavender.
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